Diomira Luongo

Effects of four Fusarium toxins (fumonisin B1, α-zearalenol, nivalenol and deoxynivalenol) on porcine whole-blood cellular proliferation

The in vitro effects of four Fusarium toxins, fumonisin B(1) (FB(1)), alpha-zearalenol (alpha-ZEA), nivalenol (NIV) and deoxynivalenol (DON), on mitogen-induced cell proliferation were determined in swine whole-blood cultures. Considering the lack of sufficient toxicological data both on single and in combination effects, in vitro studies may contribute to risk assessment of these toxins. Incubation with increasing concentrations of FB(1) did not produce any consequence on proliferation; in contrast alpha-ZEA, NIV and DON showed an inhibitory effect. Dose-response curves for each mycotoxin were generated. NIV was found to be the most potent toxin followed by DON and alpha-ZEA. The effects of both FB(1)+alpha-ZEA and NIV+DON mixtures were also analysed to investigate possible interactions. The results indicated that combination of FB(1)+alpha-ZEA produces a synergistic inhibition of porcine cell proliferation; whereas there is no interaction between DON and NIV on porcine whole-blood proliferation, at tested concentrations.

Intranasal administration of a recombinant α-gliadin down-regulates the immune response to wheat gliadin in DQ8 transgenic mice

The mucosal lesion in coeliac disease (CD) is an immune-mediated injury triggered by gliadin and associated with HLA-DQ2 and HLA-DQ8. In view of this, an approach that re-induces tolerance to this antigen should be considered as possible alternative to a strict gluten-free diet in treating CD. However, T-cell activation to multiple antigens, as a consequence of the chemical complexity shown by the antigen gliadin, could hamper the efforts to identify single component(s) useful for tolerance induction. To address this issue, a recombinant alpha-gliadin was tested in tolerance experiments in HLA-DQ8 transgenic mice. As tissue transglutaminase (tTG) treatment of gliadin, previously reported to enhance its stimulatory activity in CD, did not increase its immunogenicity when parenterally administered in these mice, untreated gliadin was used as immunogen. A decrease in systemic T cell responses to the recombinant alpha-gliadin was found after nasal administration of antigen, reflected by lymphocytes proliferation assay. Interestingly, while the immunisation protocol induced transcription of both Th1 (IFN-gamma) and Th2 (IL-4 and IL-10) cytokines, the tolerisation protocol down-regulated significantly only the IFN-gamma mRNA expression. More important, the recombinant alpha-gliadin induced a similar down-regulatory effect in mice immunised with a commercial preparation of wheat gliadin, that is a mixture of many different gliadin components. As the Th1 phenotype and the HLA-DQ8 molecule play a role in the pathogenesis of CD, our data underlined the potential usefulness of this recombinant protein for the immunomodulation of this disease.

Small intestinal enteropathy in non-obese diabetic mice fed a diet containing wheat

Aims/hypothesisA deranged mucosal immune response and dietary factors may play an important role in the pathogenesis of type 1 diabetes. The aims of our work were to look for the presence of small intestinal enteropathy in non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice in relation to the presence of wheat proteins in the diet, and to assess their role in the risk of developing diabetes.MethodsFemale NOD mice were fed a standard or gluten-free diet or a gluten-free diet with the addition of wheat proteins (MGFD). Small intestine architecture, intraepithelial CD3+ infiltration, epithelial expression of H2-IA, mRNA for IFN-gamma and IL-4 were assessed.ResultsNOD mice fed a standard diet showed reduced villous height, increased intraepithelial infiltration by CD3+ cells and enhanced expression of H2-IA and IFN-gamma mRNA when compared with mice on the gluten-free diet. The cumulative diabetes incidence at 43 weeks of age was 65% in the latter and 97% in the former (p<0.01). Mice on MGFD also showed increased epithelial infiltration and a higher incidence of diabetes.Conclusions/interpretationMice fed a wheat-containing diet showed a higher incidence of diabetes, signs of small intestinal enteropathy and higher mucosal levels of proinflammatory cytokines.

Conjugated Linoleic Acid - Mediated Apoptosis in Jurkat T Cells Involves the Production of Reactive Oxygen Species

The pro-apoptotic ability of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) has been partly accounted for its anticarcinogenic effect although the precise mechanism of action remains elusive. In this study we characterized the biochemical events governing CLA-mediated apoptosis in Jurkat T cells. CLA induced a time-and dose-dependent activation of caspase-3. Pre-treatment with antioxidant molecules (trolox and quercetin), antioxidant enzymes (catalase and superoxide dismutase) metal chelator (EDTA), reducing agent (N-acetyl-L-cysteine), NADPH oxidase or protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor (diphenyleneiodinium and Gö 6976, respectively) suppressed CLA-mediated caspase-3 activation. Moreover, CLA treatment increased the NADPH oxidase activity and depleted the intracellular pool of reduced glutathione. These results suggested that CLA can trigger apoptosis through an oxidative stress mediated by the PKC/NADPH oxidase pathway. The proposed mechanism provides a new insight into the anticancer activity of CLA.

Adjuvant effect of Lactobacillus casei in a mouse model of gluten sensitivity

Probiotic strains have been reported to exert immunomodulatory activities in the gut-associated lymphoid tissue. In this study we explored the effect of Lactobacillus casei in transgenic mice expressing the human DQ8 heterodimer, a HLA molecule linked to Celiac Disease (CD). DQ8 mice, mucosally immunized with the gluten component gliadin, mounted an intestinal Th1-like response as observed in CD, without developing enteropathy. Co-administration of L. casei in sensitized mice specifically enhanced the gliadin-specific response mediated by CD4(+) T cells. Notably, both a strong increase of the gliadin-specific IFNgamma expression and a pro-inflammatory polarization of the cytokine milieu in the small intestinal mucosa were associated to the presence of the probiotic strain. However, this condition did not bring on any mucosal alteration. These findings suggest that the gliadin-specific enteropathy is not merely related to the HLA DQ8-restricted massive production of IFNgamma, but additional parameters are involved. Moreover, our data imply that the intrinsic adjuvanticity of L. casei can be exploited to further enhance both mucosal and systemic T cell-mediated responses.

Intranasal Administration of One Alpha Gliadin Can Downregulate the Immune Response to Whole Gliadin in Mice

The mucosal lesion present in coeliac disease is an immune‐mediated injury triggered by gliadin and restricted by a particular assortment of major histocompatibility complex genes. In view of this, an immunomodulatory approach that induces tolerance to this antigen appears to be a possible alternative to a strict gluten‐free diet in treating coeliac disease. We have shown that intranasal administration of multiple doses of whole gliadin is required to specifically inhibit T helper 1‐like T‐cell reactivity in BALB/c mice immunized parenterally with whole gliadin. However, T‐cell activation to multiple antigens, as a consequence of the chemical complexity shown by the antigen gliadin, could hamper efforts to identify single component(s) useful for tolerance induction. In this study, gliadin fractions were purified and administered intranasally to study their ability to induce tolerance to whole gliadin in our animal model. We found that the alpha fraction was particularly effective in downregulating both the in vitro gliadin‐specific T‐cell proliferation and interferon‐γ production to whole gliadin. In particular, a purified α‐gliadin was able to suppress the immune response to the entire gliadin mixture. These results demonstrate how an immune response to a complex antigen may be controlled by treatment with a purified component and specifically indicate α‐gliadin to be a good candidate for further identification of short peptides to be used as tolerogens in this model.

Conjugated linoleic acid enhances glutathione synthesis and attenuates pathological signs in MRL/MpJ-Faslpr mice

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), a naturally occurring peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) ligand, exhibits proapoptotic, immunomodulatory, and anticancer properties. In this study, we examined the biological effects of CLA administration in the MRL/MpJ-Faslpr mouse, an animal model of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We found that CLA exerted apparently opposed activities in in vitro experiments, depending on its concentration: 100 μM CLA downregulated IFNγ synthesis and cell proliferation of splenocytes, in association with apoptosis induction and a decrease of intracellular thiols (GSH + GSSG), whereas 25 μM CLA did not significantly influence cell proliferation but enhanced the expression of γ-glutamylcysteine ligase catalytic subunit (GCLC) and intracellular GSH concentration. Interestingly, the antiproliferative effect at 100 μM was not inhibited by the PPARγ antagonist GW9662. In vivo, CLA administration drastically reduced SLE signs (splenomegaly, autoantibodies, and cytokine synthesis), a condition paralleled by the enhancement of GCLC expression and intracellular GSH content. Moreover, CLA administration significantly downregulated nuclear factor κB activity independent of PPARγ activation and apoptosis induction. In conclusion, enhanced GSH content and GCLC expression in CLA-treated mice suggest a novel biochemical mechanism underlying its immunomodulatory activity and the beneficial effects on murine SLE signs.

Reintroduction of gluten following flour transamidation in adult celiac patients: a randomized, controlled clinical study.

A lifelong gluten-free diet (GFD) is mandatory for celiac disease (CD) but has poor compliance, justifying novel strategies. We found that wheat flour transamidation inhibited IFN-γ secretion by intestinal T cells from CD patients. Herein, the primary endpoint was to evaluate the ability of transamidated gluten to maintain GFD CD patients in clinical remission. Secondary endpoints were efficacy in prevention of the inflammatory response and safety at the kidney level, where reaction products are metabolized. In a randomized single blinded, controlled 90-day trial, 47 GFD CD patients received 3.7 g/day of gluten from nontransamidated (12) or transamidated (35) flour. On day 15, 75% and 37% of patients in the control and experimental groups, respectively, showed clinical relapse (P = 0.04) whereas intestinal permeability was mainly altered in the control group (50% versus 20%, P = 0.06). On day 90, 0 controls and 14 patients in the experimental group completed the challenge with no variation of antitransglutaminase IgA (P = 0.63), Marsh-Oberhuber grading (P = 0.08), or intestinal IFN-γ mRNA (P > 0.05). Creatinine clearance did not vary after 90 days of treatment (P = 0.46). In conclusion, transamidated gluten reduced the number of clinical relapses in challenged patients with no changes of baseline values for serological/mucosal CD markers and an unaltered kidney function.

A deregulated immune response to gliadin causes a decreased villus height in DQ8 transgenic mice

Celiac disease (CD) is an enteropathy triggered by gluten and mediated by CD4+T cells. A complete understanding of CD immunopathogenesis has been hindered due to the lack of adequate in vivo models. Here, we explored the effect of the inhibition of COX by indomethacin in wheat gliadin‐sensitized transgenic mice expressing the HLA‐DQ8 heterodimer, a molecule associated with CD. Treated mice showed a gliadin‐specific immune response with a significant reduction of villus height, not linked to crypt hyperplasia and to expansion of intraepithelial T cells. Notably, treated mice showed increased numbers of CD25+ and apoptotic cells in the lamina propria, whereas high basal levels of IFN‐γ secretion, along with a reduced gliadin‐specific IL‐2 expression were detected in MLN. Biochemical assessment of the lesion revealed increased mRNA of Lamb3 and Adamts2, encoding for ECM proteins, and enhanced activities of metalloproteinases MMP1, 2 and 7. We conclude that an intestinal sensitivity to gliadin, in connection with COX inhibition, caused a decreased villus height in DQ8 tg mice. The lesion was induced by a deregulated mucosal cell immunity to gliadin, thus triggering activation of a specific ECM protein pathway responsible for lamina propria remodeling.

Trichothecenes NIV and DON modulate the maturation of murine dendritic cells

Nivalenol (NIV) and Deoxynivalenol (DON), mycotoxins of the trichothecene family are considered very common food contaminants. In this work, we investigated whether the immunotoxic effects ascribed to these trichothecenes may be mediated by perturbations in the activity of dendritic cells (DCs). Murine bone marrow-derived DCs were used to evaluate the effects of NIV and DON on the LPS-induced maturation process. We found that the expression of the class II MHC and of the accessory CD11c molecules, but not of the costimulatory CD86 marker, was down-regulated by NIV and DON exposure in LPS-treated DCs, as well as nitric oxide (NO) production. Interestingly, NIV, but not DON, induced DC necrosis. Moreover, the analysis of the cytokine pattern showed that IL-12 and IL-10 expressions induced by LPS exposure were suppressed by both trichothecenes in a dose-dependent fashion. On the other hand, the secretion of the proinflammatory cytokine TNF-alpha was increased as a direct consequence of DON and NIV exposure. Taken together, our data indicated that the immunotoxicity of NIV and DON was related to the capacity of both trichothecenes to interfere with phenotypic and functional features of maturing DCs.